Gritty storylines included Soaps first lesbian kiss and the murder of wife-beater Trevor Jordach who was buried under the patio, Sheila Grants rape storyline, Also in the later years was the seige in 2002 & Anthony Murray's bullying and on the last episode Drug dealer Jack Michealson was killed.

The last episide was aired in 2003 after 21 years on TV screens. Brookside launched the careers of Jennifer Ellison, Ricky Tomlinson and Anna Friel.